U.S. Air Force Awards $588K Grant for Critical Network Research

The U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research has awarded approximately $588,000 to researchers at the University of Arkansas to investigate how information impacts the protection of critical networks during disruptive events. The project, led by assistant professors of industrial engineering, Haoming Shen and Robert Curry, aims to develop mathematical models that enhance the collection, sharing, and safeguarding of information during crises such as natural disasters and cyberattacks.

The research will specifically focus on the flow and accuracy of information and their effects on a community’s ability to respond to and recover from disruptions. The team plans to explore how to efficiently allocate limited resources, such as sensors and drones, to detect potential threats and protect vital infrastructure.

Key Research Questions and Objectives

Shen and Curry will investigate two primary questions: How can defenders utilize information to anticipate and identify potential attacks? Additionally, they will examine the role of misinformation or strategic information sharing in deterring or redirecting threats.

Curry explained, “If we put it in non-mathematical terms, we’re trying to make a set of data-informed decisions, and we’re trying to make those decisions with uncertain information.” While the study will largely focus on theoretical modeling, the findings could significantly influence future crisis management and infrastructure protection, particularly in the realms of transportation and logistics.

Shen emphasized the importance of proactively configuring sensor networks to identify potential disruptions. “However, in practice, deploying sensors or conducting sensing tasks requires investment, and the total amount of a budget is always limited,” he remarked. The research aims to pinpoint the best strategies for resource allocation to effectively detect threats and safeguard infrastructure.

Funding and Broader Implications

The grant was awarded through the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR), an initiative by the U.S. Department of Defense that promotes research capacity building at universities in underrepresented states. U.S. Senator John Boozman, a supporter of DEPSCoR, stated, “This project provides an opportunity to pursue high-quality research with real-world applications like protecting critical infrastructure. Investing in this project reinforces and enhances our largest institution’s significant role in supporting national security.”

In addition to this grant, the University of Arkansas announced in October 2023 that it has joined a national research team to develop advanced video object tracking technology under a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This initiative could bring up to $6 million in federal funding to the university, further enhancing its research capabilities and contributions to national security efforts.